Digital Distribution
Ongoing coverage on Digital Distribution.
Latest coverage
"We want physical games": Marvel's Wolverine trailer reveals Lady Deathstrike and a Sabretooth team-up, but nobody in the comments is talking about that
A new trailer for Marvel's Wolverine has been released, but the comments section on YouTube is dominated by backlash against Sony's decision to phase out physical game discs by 2028. Despite the trailer revealing new story details like a team-up between Wolverine and Sabretooth, and the confirmation of Lady Deathstrike's appearance, players are expressing strong demand for physical copies. This sentiment is echoed across other PlayStation game trailers, indicating widespread community concern over the shift to digital-only distribution.
Discontinuing physical discs is one thing, but the PlayStation Portal already hints at Sony's worrying ambitions…
The article analyzes Sony's potential shift towards an all-digital and cloud-based future, using the PlayStation Portal as a key indicator of these ambitions. It discusses past attempts like the PSP Go and PlayStation TV, and contrasts Sony's physical-first approach with Valve's digital model, expressing concern over the potential loss of game ownership.
"You don't need a storefront's permission to play what you bought." GOG takes aim at Sony's 'no disks' decision
GOG has reaffirmed its commitment to DRM-free gaming, allowing users to download offline installers for all purchased games. This statement comes in response to Sony's decision to discontinue physical media for games starting January 2028. GOG emphasizes that players can save these installers to discs, ensuring permanent ownership of their digital library on PC, Mac, and Linux.
Games Inbox: Will you be buying a PS5 to play GTA 6?
Readers discuss whether Grand Theft Auto 6 will be a system seller for the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X, given the current downturn in console sales and perceived lack of compelling exclusive titles. The conversation also touches on the decline of physical media, the importance of game preservation, and the future of digital distribution.
Epic Games Store boss quits after 8 years to take up new role at Saber Interactive
Steve Allison, former vice president and general manager of the Epic Games Store, has departed Epic Games after eight years to become chief business officer at Saber Interactive. Allison expressed admiration for Saber's studios and upcoming projects, including Space Marine 3 and a John Wick game. His move follows a significant tenure at Epic, where he helped launch the Epic Games Store and grow its user base.
GOG dunks on Sony and reminds everyone why PC gaming is so beloved: "You don't need a storefront's…
GOG is highlighting the benefits of PC gaming and its own digital distribution model in response to Sony's planned discontinuation of physical disc production in 2028. The company emphasizes that by downloading offline installers, users can retain permanent access to their purchased games without needing a storefront's permission, contrasting this with the potential precariousness of digital-only libraries.
PS5 fans fast-track PC emulation in response to Sony ditching physical games
In response to Sony's move towards an all-digital future, PlayStation 5 emulation efforts on PC have accelerated. Recent progress includes booting exclusive titles like Astro Bot and Demon's Souls on PC using experimental emulators such as SharpEmu. These developments are seen as a win for game preservationists, allowing games to remain playable even if official support is withdrawn.
'Removing discs doesn’t represent progress – it simply removes choice' — The Entertainment Retailers Association denounces Sony's decision to kill physical discs
The Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA) has criticized Sony's decision to end the production of physical PlayStation discs, calling it a move that prioritizes corporate convenience over consumer choice. The ERA highlights that physical discs offer true ownership, shareability, and preservation, freedoms often lacking in digital licenses. Despite Sony's silence, a petition with over 310,000 signatures urges the company to reverse its decision.
Games Inbox: What will be the next Nintendo remake after Zelda: Ocarina Of Time?
Readers discuss potential future Nintendo remakes following the success of Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag Resynced and the anticipated Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake. There is also speculation about FromSoftware's next project and a desire for id Software to perfect its modern Doom titles. The discussion also touches on the shift to digital distribution and the future of physical media.
"The conversation needs to shift to consumer rights": Amid PlayStation's physical shutdown, analyst clarifies viral remarks about nobody missing disc drives
Analyst Daniel Ahmad clarified his remarks comparing the end of physical PlayStation games to the removal of disc drives from PCs, emphasizing that the conversation should shift to consumer rights regarding digital ownership. He highlighted the superior consumer protections on PC platforms like Steam, such as gifting, family sharing, and refund policies, and suggested these should be legally mandated for all digital storefronts.
"Consumers would stop truly owning their video games": Death of PlayStation discs prompts lawmakers and consumer rights groups to push back
Sony Interactive Entertainment's decision to cease production of new PlayStation game discs in 2028 has sparked significant backlash from consumers and consumer rights groups. Organizations in the Netherlands and lawmakers in Mexico are pushing back, arguing that the end of physical media will grant Sony complete control over game pricing and access, effectively turning game purchases into licenses rather than true ownership. This move raises concerns about fair pricing, the second-hand market, and digital ownership rights.
Steam Is Having Some Problems, But Don’t Panic
Steam is currently experiencing service issues, leading to slow performance and user complaints. Despite these problems, the platform continues to break revenue records.
PlayStation is ditching a $402 million market and destroying consumer "freedoms" by abandoning physical games,…
The Entertainment Retailer's Association (ERA) criticizes PlayStation's plan to phase out physical game discs by 2028, citing significant market value and consumer "freedoms" associated with physical media. ERA CEO Kim Bayley highlights that 25% of under-25s still use discs, and the UK disc-based games market was valued at over £300 million in 2025. The association argues that removing discs limits choice, harms retailers, and negatively impacts game preservation and the industry's long-term health.
Well, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls is now only barred from purchase in 117 countries according to Steam's backend, which is a start
Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls has had its regional purchase restrictions on Steam reduced, with 15 countries now able to access the game, leaving 117 still barred. This change may be related to the game's requirement for a PlayStation Network account for certain features. The game is set to release on August 6th.
Xbox veteran stresses Sony's all-digital future would compromise game ownership: 'Digital is convenient until someone else decides you’ve had enough'
Xbox founder Laura Fryer has criticized Sony's move towards an all-digital future for PlayStation games, warning that it compromises true game ownership. She points to the discontinuation of physical game discs starting in 2028 and the removal of purchased movies from user libraries as evidence of the risks associated with digital convenience. Fryer suggests Sony is following Rockstar Games' lead with the digital-only Grand Theft Auto 6 to normalize this shift, which she believes ultimately harms consumers by eliminating the used game market and backward compatibility.
Games Inbox: Will there ever be a Nintendo Switch 2 Lite?
Readers discuss the potential for a Nintendo Switch 2 Lite, with concerns about component costs and Nintendo's future hardware strategy. The discussion also touches on the high cost of AAA game development, the future of Sony and Microsoft, and skepticism surrounding the release of The Elder Scrolls 6 and Grand Theft Auto 6.
The PlayStation physical games debacle is taking over everything Sony does — it’s the biggest tech PR disaster since Sonos’ app update, so will Sony learn the lessons that turned Sonos around?
Sony's move towards digital-only game sales is causing significant backlash from PlayStation owners concerned about cost, resale value, and true ownership, drawing parallels to Sonos' past app update disaster. The article suggests Sony could learn from Sonos' approach to rebuilding customer trust through humility and improved execution, but questions whether the company will prioritize this over its business interests, given its large customer base.
EU Says It's Powerless to Stop PlayStation From Killing Discs: 'Companies Are Free to Offer Games and Services in the Manner They See Fit'
The European Union has stated it cannot intervene to prevent companies like Sony from phasing out physical game discs in favor of digital distribution. The EU views such decisions as a company's prerogative regarding how they offer games and services.
Weekend Console Download Deals for July 10: Nintendo and Square Enix
This weekend's console deals feature significant discounts on Square Enix titles on the Nintendo eShop, including Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth and Dragon Quest 7 Reimagined. PlayStation users can find deals in the July Savings sale, while Xbox offers a selection of Game Pass deals. Notable Nintendo Switch sales include various SteamWorld titles and other indie games.
Steam has reportedly made Valve more money in the first half of 2026 than it did in all of 2020 – $11.1 billion…
Steam reportedly generated $11.1 billion in revenue in the first half of 2026, surpassing its total revenue for 2020. This growth is attributed to a surge in Asian players, higher game prices, viral co-op titles, and publishers returning to the platform. Despite strong sales of new releases, revenue from games launched in 2026 constitutes a smaller percentage of overall sales compared to previous years.
